Tag: Clean

Every Heart Prepare

About the Book:

Every Heart Prepare: A Christmas Romance Novella (Faith On The Frontier)

Title: Every Heart Prepare
Series: Faith on the Frontier #1
Author: Madelyn Smith
Release Date: October 17th, 2025
Genre: Historical Romance

An injured preacher. A rancher’s spinster daughter. A Christmas season where they’ll both learn to find true joy in the world.

Leroy:

My injuries may have halted my travels where I preach the Word of God, but it can’t keep my spirits down. I’m determined to recover, not be a burden, and then to continue on my journey. Except, the more I get to know Sicilia Mariner, the more I question my calling. Can God’s plan for me change?

Sicilia:

Being the only woman on the ranch has become lonely. As the years go by with no beau, I’ve begun to wonder if God really has a plan for me. When Mister Lovelady ends up injured and at our ranch, I barely let myself hope that he’s an answer to prayer. But the more I get to know Leroy Lovelady, the more I wonder if God’s plan is even better than the one I’ve dreamed of.
Every Heart Prepare is the first book in the Faith On The Frontier series where characters deepen their faith in Jesus Christ while navigating the hardships of life on the frontier. Every Heart Prepare takes inspiration from the author’s family history along with the sacred Christmas carol Joy To The World, with themes of forgiveness, redemption, and healing throughout the story.

Book Review:

I loved this adorable novella! It was such a sweet read about the hope of Jesus Christ along with the sweet blessings that He gives us.

I really loved the strong, Christian aspect in this one. Leroy is a preacher, and multiple Bible verses are quoted throughout the book. The Bible is not only quoted but lived out as Leroy and Sicilia fight to see God’s goodness in every aspect. Both of them had been through their fair share of trials, but they were determined to trust the Lord through it all. I appreciated the way that Leroy’s PTSD was handled with so much grace as well.

Leroy and Sicilia were such fun characters. I was invested in them from the beginning. They were both trying to figure out how best to serve God in their seasons of life. I loved to see them come together, and I appreciated that there was no third act breakup too! I would totally recommend this sweet novella perfect for anyone looking for a lovely, Christmas read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

Home with You

About the Book:

Home with You: A Sweet, Single Dad, Military Romance (San Diego Marines Book 5) by [Jess Mastorakos]

Title: Home with You
Series: San Diego Marines #6
Author: Jess Mastorakos
Release Date: October 10th, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance

My dream girl is my kid’s favorite teacher, making her off-limits. But my eight-year-old son isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer.

When I got my orders to San Diego, I knew it would be a fresh start for me and my son. Our old town held so many memories of what happened years ago when we lost his mom. My wife.

The water, sand, and sun sounded like the perfect distraction for us both.

And I was right. Because soon after arriving, I met a spunky, free-spirited stunner and we shared a heart-stopping kiss with the roar of the ocean in the background. Yeah, our new life in San Diego was off to a good start.

That is, until I discovered that the same woman who reminded me how amazing it felt to be wanted again was none other than the PE teacher Finn won’t stop talking about.

How was I supposed to know? He calls her Ms. Peters and I call her Rachel. And now I’m not going to call her at all, because her number one rule is that she won’t date a student’s dad.

But Miramar is a small base. Running into Rachel at every corner makes me think some outside force wants us to get together. And I have a nagging suspicion that the force is about four-feet-tall with a never-say-die attitude.

And I can’t help but think he might be onto something.

Book Review:

Home with You is the 6th book in Jess Mastorakos San Diego Marines series. I was super excited to read about Rachel and Owen and I knew that it was going to be cute. The hint at the end of Memories of You made me borrow Home with You from Kindle Unlimited right after I finished Memories of You. Home with You was just as good as I hoped. 

Staff Sergeant Owen O’Malley is trying to help his son the best he can. When he gets orders to San Diego, he hopes that his eight year old son, Finn, would love the ocean. After losing his wife a couple of years ago, he is just trying to stay adrift. Rachel Peters hopes that San Diego would be her fresh start, she  plans to soak up the son and teach PE to the military kids on base. She doesn’t plan on falling for the handsome, single dad of one of her favorite students. When Owen and Rachel keep running into each other, they think it is because of their shared proximity. But there’s a four-foot-tall matchmaker who is trying to get them together. Will Owen and Rachel end up together or will they balk at their chance for true love?

Rachel had come to San Diego looking for a fresh start, a chance to start over. She wasn’t looking for love, but then she met Owen and he managed to change her plans. Rachel was super sweet and she loved the children she got to work with. However, she had previously had a bad experience dating a student’s parent and that made her wary of Owen. But no matter how hard she tried, she still liked Owen and Finn. Rachel had to trust Owen and to take a leap of faith, hoping that maybe their relationship could last. 

I liked Owen, he was such a good dad to Finn. He tried his best to help Finn out as they both grieved. He liked Rachel from the beginning, but he was also aware that anyone he dated would have an affect on Finn. Owen wanted to make his relationship with Rachel work, but he was also nervous that it would be too soon. Owen was a great guy, but he also had his own faults and he had to let Rachel into his heart. 

Rachel and Owen were such a fun couple. They both adored Finn and really cared for each other. They were able to help shoulder each other’s burdens. Rachel had to let go of the past and not judge Owen by her past relationships. Owen had to learn to compromise and trust Rachel to help care for Finn. I really liked seeing old characters and reading seeing things through the eyes of Rachel and Owen. 

Home with You was a great book! I liked the characters and I couldn’t put the book down. I finished it in one day! I would definitely recommend it! Home with You is a clean, Marine romance. 

Casters and Crowns

About the Book:

Title: Casters and Crowns
Author: Elizabeth and Lowham
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishers
Release Date: October 1st, 2024
Genre: YA Fantasy

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with the Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.

Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.

Book Review:

Oh my goodness! What an exciting story and engaging world! This is my first from Ms. Lowham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This fantasy romance is full of character growth and discovery within an amazing fantasy world.

Aria was so relatable! I definitely felt her struggle to do the right thing and to fulfill her role as crown princess. She was a perfectionist and it bled into every aspect of her life. I loved her genuine desire to be what her people needed and her care for them. I also adored her relationship with her sister, as someone with sisters myself that is something I always enjoy. She grew so much over the story. Aria began to discover what she stood for and her own beliefs. 

Baron was so sweet! I loved his sense of honor and his care for his brothers. He was so self-sacrificing for them. He was struggling to survive in a kingdom that distrusted him for the abilities he was born with. I admired his hopes for the future and his determination to work for the future he wanted for his family and the other Casters. 

Aria and Baron’s friendship and romance grew slowly. I liked how it developed from their friendship and how they supported one another. They were truly able to provide strengths where the other was weaker. As the story continued, both Aria and Baron were challenged to evaluate their views and to strive toward the kingdom they wanted to live in. There were so many surprises along the way and I loved seeing the plot unfold. I loved so many of the side characters, especially their families. They were so full of character and life. 

This is a standalone fantasy romance with some fantasy violence and only kissing.  I would recommend it to older teens and up.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

The Order of Blood and Ruin

About the Book:

Title: The Order of Blood and Ruin
Series: Magic on Main Street #3
Author: K M Shea
Release Date: April 5th, 2024
Genre: Urban Fantasy

They used to be enemies. Now they’re partners.

I never imagined Considine Maledictus—one of the most powerful vampires alive—would go from ruling the streets at night to joining the supernatural task force just to become my partner, but here we are.

Considine claims he “fancies” me. He also used to hide his identity and pose as my charming next-door neighbor, so forgive me if I don’t believe him.

As bad as that is, my work life is worse.

My slayer identity—kept a secret since a lone slayer is an easy target—has been leaked by a suspect from a previous case. This brings a new level of danger to my job, especially since the suspect is obviously holding a grudge against me.

But I’m more worried about my city. Bad things are going down, and whatever is stirring in the shadows is more than I can handle alone. Can I trust Considine to watch my back when he used to be the biggest threat to my life?

And why is it that despite everything that has happened, a part of me wonders if it’s possible for a slayer and vampire to be together…

The Order of Blood and Ruin is the final book in the Magic on Main Street urban fantasy trilogy, and is part of the Magiford Supernatural City world. This series is packed with humor, magical fights, and a sweet, slow burn romance between a slayer who battles social anxiety and a vampire who is sick of his immortality.

Book Review:

This was such a good ending to a wonderful series! I loved seeing Jade and Connor figure out their relationship, and we also see a wonderful conclusion to Jade’s other relationships. 

Jade is such a fun character! She’s incredibly noble, and it was fun to see a different character from the normal urban fantasy MCs. Jade’s definitely a bit quieter, and her social anxiety makes it harder for her to make friends. But as this is the last book, you really get to see her grow and be more confident in herself. Even though Jade grew a lot, I appreciated how her character was never completely changed. Her core values and character traits stayed the same.

Connor is such a fun character! He makes me laugh, and his power makes his interactions so interesting. I especially loved seeing the Drake siblings again! He and Jade work well together, and she forces him to protect and care for others. We get to see more character growth from everyone on the team too!

This is a wonderful urban fantasy series that I would totally recommend! It’s clean and funny and should be read in order.

A Love to Call Home

About the Book:

Title: A Love to Call Home
Author: Breanne Andrews
Release Date: June 14th, 2024
Genre: Christian Romance

She’s determined to keep him in the friend zone. He’s proving that love’s greatest battles are fought with unwavering patience.

Single mom Adriana Morales is determined to find stability for herself and her son, even if it means working multiple jobs and relying on her family for help. It definitely means ignoring any man who tries to sweet talk her into giving them a chance. She has no interest in letting another man abuse her trust or derail her carefully structured plans.

Sergeant Nathan Prescott meets Adriana while she’s working at her family’s food truck, intrigued by her sassiness and strength. Unfortunately, she shuts down his advances immediately. Finding someone to build a life with shouldn’t be that hard, but the dumpster fire ending to his last relationship says otherwise. Nathan is a man of his word, and he’s promised Adriana that he’d pursue nothing more than friendship—but the closer they get, the harder it is to ignore a desire for a deeper connection.

As Adriana and Nathan’s social circles continue to collide, Adriana can’t help but feel pulled toward the handsome and gregarious man. But she can’t let herself fall for his charms, and she makes sure he knows it. They’re doomed to be nothing more than friends. Nathan refuses to fall for another woman who can’t see a future with him. But every time he’s around Adriana, a future with her is all he can see.

Even with both of them fighting their connection, a friendship is forged that is stronger than either expected. But when their dreams and fears come to a head, their friendship—and more—is put to the test.

Book Review:

What a lovely story! This is my first from Ms. Andrews and it was such a pleasure to read! The story is very character-driven and the dual POV gives a nice perspective into the story. It is a contemporary romance with faith elements.

Adriana was such an interesting character. She was easy to understand in some ways and relate to. I really felt for her and her struggles. I admired her strength and determination. She truly stuck to her beliefs and responsibilities, though it did cause some problems for her at other times. I loved her relationship with her family. They really supported one another and were there for one another. They were a close family and spent a lot of time together, which reminded me of my own family.

Nathan was such a sweetheart! He was so genuine and honorable. He is the type of character that I like as a person as well as a character. I enjoyed seeing him slowly build a relationship with Adriana through persistent kindness. He was so respectful of her wishes and boundaries. He also had such a lovely relationship with his family. 

Both Adriana and Nathan had to understand their priorities and what they were willing to sacrifice. They were able to support one another and enjoy each other ‘s company. I loved the side characters and their friendships with them. There were also some faith elements that were very sweet. It is a clean romance with only kissing.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

I’m Not Charlotte Lucas

About the Book:

I'm Not Charlotte Lucas by [Kasey Stockton]

Title:I’m Not Charlotte Lucas
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: February 7th, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance

orthern California girl Charlotte “Charlie” Lucas has two great loves: Diet Coke and Pride and Prejudice. But her passion for Regency classics is tempered by a very real fear: Charlie is terrified of having to endure the fate of her namesake—spinsterhood. Despite her best attempts to maintain a modern sensibility, she can’t say no when an elderly neighbor asks Charlie to attend a charity ball with her grandson. Blind date or not, Charlie is powerless to resist the allure of a real-life ball. Soon it’s clear that she will struggle to resist the charms of her blind date too.

Liam Connell is every bit the swoon-worthy leading man, straight out of Charlie’s daydreams. But he’s completely unattainable—his last girlfriend was a gorgeous actress and a far cry from Charlie’s world. So after a magical evening with Liam, Charlie is ready to get back to reality, even if her best option right now is a former boyfriend who wants to give it another shot. Unfortunately, despite imagining she’ll never see Liam again, he seems to be everywhere. How is a lady to move past a fantasy when life suddenly seems to be imitating fiction to an alarming degree?

Book Review:

I loved this book! It was just the perfect sweet and romantic read that I needed. I’m Not Charlotte Lucas is written by Kasey Stockton and it was just a great read! This was a sweet contemporary read with wonderful and engaging characters! 

Charlotte was such a wonderful character! I loved how relatable she was. She was trying to find herself and she feared making mistakes. Charlotte was in a rut. She was stuck in a life cycle and she didn’t know what to do with her life. Charlotte had to learn to let go of the past and look towards the future. She had to learn to hope again. I loved reading about Charlotte growing. Liam helped her see that she was perfect just the way that she was. Charlotte had to work on herself and realize that she didn’t need to fit a mold. Charlotte learned to reach for the stars. 

Liam was a sweetheart. He was just trying his best and I loved him. I loved his relationship with his brother and how he was down to earth. I liked how Liam wasn’t perfect but he had his own things to work through. He was trying to raise his brother and he just didn’t know what to do. It was also cute to read about him with Charlotte, he really fell hard. Liam had to learn how to love Charlotte and show her that he cared. 

Liam and Charlotte were just a perfect couple. I loved their interaction and banter. It was so fun. They really complemented each other and it was sweet to read about them falling in love. They had to work through exes, meddling grandmothers, and social status but it was worth the journey. I really like the way Stockton wrote her characters, they felt so real. I also really liked the side characters and I hope that Charlotte’s best friend, Beth, gets her own book. 

I adored I’m Not Charlotte Lucas and I would definitely recommend it! You need to add it to your TBR! I want to read more of these characters and I hope that Stockton writes more books to add to this one. I’m Not Charlotte Lucas is a clean contemporary romance with hints of Pride and Prejudice sprinkled within, hence the name.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

Danger Unknown

About the Book:

Danger Unknown by [Kathi Oram Peterson]

Title: Danger Unknown
Author: Kathi Oram Peterson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: March 1st, 2022
Genre: Suspense

The small desert town seemed like the perfect place to disappear—until Brooke Steward’s worst nightmare walks into the diner where she works. The man who killed her husband has found her—again. Desperate to protect her young daughter, Brooke has no choice but to run for their lives.

Awakened by a haunting nightmare that has plagued him for years, Michael Calder is startled by a knock at the door of his remote Montana ranch. He is even more shocked when he finds a disheveled child on his steps who silently leads him to her injured mother. In making the split-second decision to bring Brooke and her daughter into his home, Michael is unwittingly drawn with them into the path of danger. Someone is determined to silence Brooke, no matter the cost. In their quest for the truth, Brooke and Michael come to trust each other completely, their relationship deepening into something more. But even as the lines between friendship and love blur, the explosive secrets of the past are finally revealed. Now they must fight to survive or risk becoming the latest casualties in a deadly conspiracy.

Book Review:

Wow! This was such a suspenseful book. Danger Unknown is the first book that I have read by Kathi Oram Peterson and I really enjoyed it! It was a wonderful blend of suspense and romance. I have to admit I was a little worried about reading this book because I get scared easily, but it was a lovely book with just the right amount of suspense at least for me. 

Brooke was on the run with her daughter. She was just trying to keep herself and her daughter, Izzy alive. However when everything seems to come crashing down help comes from an unexpected source. Michael Carter has been haunted by his past, but things change when he is awoken from a nightmare by a knock on his door. He finds a small child who leads him to her injured mother. Michael is unexpectedly brought into Brooke’s troubles,  where a man is trying to silence her and her daughter. As Brooke and Michael fight to stay alive they find themselves drawing closer to each other. Will they be able to keep each other and Izzy safe or will they become the latest casualty in a deadly conspiracy?

Brooke was just trying her best to survive and protect her daughter. I really felt for her, she found herself in an impossible situation and she was just trying to keep afloat. I liked how Brooke felt real, I was able to relate to her. Brooke was strong but she was also at her wits ends. It was sweet to read about her learning to trust Michael and learning to stand up for herself. Brooke will have to learn to face her fears of the past if she wants to keep her daughter safe. 

Micahel was just so kind, I really liked him as a character. He unexpectedly found himself drawn to this mother and child and he was doing his best to help them. His relationship with Izzy was just so sweet, he wanted to keep her safe. It was cute to read about him reaching out to Izzy and trying to break her out of her shell. He was a military man so he knew how to protect others and he was determined to protect Brooke and Izzy. However this situation was bigger than he could have imagined and Michael will need help if he wanted to protect Brooke and Izzy, people who have worked their way into his heart. 

I liked how the relationship between Michael and Brooke grew. It did not feel rushed and although it was faster, it made sense because of the circumstances. I liked how they first wanted to help each other and then it grew to love. I was on the edge of my seat while reading this, I needed to know what was going to happen. There were so many surprises and more things just kept on popping up. It was quite an adventure. I also adored Izzy, she was just the sweetest little girl. I felt so bad for her, but I loved reading about her connecting to Michael. 

Danger Unknown was a thrilling book and I would definitely recommend it. It is a suspense book so be warned. I would recommend it to those who enjoy lighter suspense if that even makes sense.:) Danger Unknown is a clean suspense book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required. 

Author Interview with Laurie Lucking – Traitor Blog Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Traitor
Series: Tales of the Mystics #2
Author: Laurie Lucking
Publisher: Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing LLC
Release Date: April 27, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy

Princess Penelope has finally found a way to redeem her past mistakes—if only it didn’t require betraying her new fiancé.
Princess Penelope has been the object of gossip and ridicule ever since she returned home in disgrace following her failed engagement to the Crown Prince of Imperia. When her father offers a new start in a country far across the sea, she has no choice but to accept. Even if it means another betrothal, this time to a total stranger.
Penelope arrives in Delunia determined to avoid bringing further shame upon her family.
But her devoted, caring fiancé makes it harder to guard her heart than she anticipated, and
rumors of dark magic haunt her with memories she’d rather keep buried far beneath her
pristine exterior.
When a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates looks to her as their hope for a
brighter future, Penelope embraces the opportunity to make amends for her
transgressions. But in order to help, she must manipulate her new fiancé, putting her
reputation on the line once more. And her heart. Can Penelope rise above the failures of her past, or will she forever be branded a traitor?

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Riella! I so appreciate the opportunity to share a bit about myself and Traitor. 🙂

  1. What first made you start writing?

    I’ve loved books ever since my earliest memories. My active imagination devised plots for every form of play, from the sandbox to American Girl dolls. I enjoyed writing stories (complete with dreadful illustrations!) until about mid-grade school, when sadly I let a few class assignments convince me I was a bad writer. The stories never left my head, but I didn’t bother to write anything down until much more recently. When I left my job as an attorney to become a stay-at-home mom back in 2012, I desperately needed a project to occupy my mind while I spent precious but long days at home with my newborn. Eventually, I summoned the courage to start typing one of my favorite daydreamed stories, and I fell in love all over again!
  2. What genre would you categorize your books and what made you choose that?

    I would categorize my books as young adult fantasy, or to be super-specific: young adult Christian fairy tale fantasy. Ha, what a mouthful! I write for young adults because that’s still my favorite genre to read, and growing up those were the books that had the greatest impact on my life. As a pre-teen or teenager, if I found a book that really resonated with me I read it again and again, living in that storyworld as much as possible. Now I hope to provide that kind of home-away-from-home for my readers! To be honest, I didn’t originally intend to write a Christian series. But the main character in Common (Tales of the Mystics, Book One) had a faith element to her journey I couldn’t ignore, and when my worldbuilding led me to mystics who channel power from God (or the Luminate, as He’s called in my fantasy world), I decided to embrace it! As for fantasy, I love adding at least a few fantastical elements to every story. It allows me to stretch my creativity and makes for plots with higher stakes and less predictability. I use fairy tales as my primary inspiration because they’re so timeless and beloved, and it’s so fun to see how putting new twists on a familiar tale can add layers of meaning and complexity. Plus, fairy tales lend themselves so well to clean romance with happily-ever-after endings!
  3. What are some of your steps to creating a fictional world?

    I don’t spend much time worldbuilding before I start writing, so my fictional worlds come
    into being organically as the stories fall into place. Usually I just add new countries,
    traditions, historical events, etc. as they’re needed while I’m writing, then go back and tighten the elements of my storyworld while editing. But I definitely have a strong sense for the feel of my setting before I get started! For Common, I envisioned a medieval-esque fairy tale kingdom with prim manners and tight social constraints that the main characters would have to work around. Traitor starts out there as well, but then I had fun creating a contrasting country for Princess Penelope’s new home filled with vibrancy and commotion that challenged her to grow beyond her comfort zone.
  4. How did you choose the title Traitor?

    I have to give my editor credit for that one! I originally had a different story planned for Book Two (which will now be Book Three instead!), but my editor suggested I write a book centering on Princess Penelope since the epilogue of Common hints at her journey to a faraway country for a new engagement. She proposed the title Traitor, and I loved it! Each title in my series is one word that describes a misconception the main character has about herself. So Traitor not only has an intriguing ring to it, but it also encapsulates Princess Penelope’s inner struggle as she strives to redeem her past mistakes while stumbling along the way.
  5. What was the hardest part about writing this book?

    The hardest part of writing Traitor was finding the creative energy to move forward during some challenging life situations. Writing provides such an exciting outlet when I’m caught up in my fantasy world and the lives of my characters, but I find it very draining. Shortly after Common released, our family experienced a loss that sent me reeling for months. For a while it was hard to imagine ever pouring myself into a story again when my heart felt so broken and my mind so numb. Then I became pregnant with our third child, and I was overjoyed but exhausted in an entirely different way. It took a lot of strength and prayer to rebuild to a point where I could funnel energy and passion back into my writing.
  6. Was it easier or harder to write this book as opposed to the 1st one?

    They were each challenging in their own ways! Common practically wrote itself at times because I was so engaged in the story and characters and had more downtime to write. But because I was still so new to the craft, it needed tons of rewrites and edits at every step along the way. Traitor’s first draft was much harder to complete since I didn’t feel as close to the story at the beginning and didn’t have as many aspects of the plot fleshed out in my mind. But although I still have a lot to learn, thankfully the editing for Traitor was much more straightforward and my later drafts didn’t need nearly as many revisions!
  7. Did you always plan to write Penelope’s story?

    I didn’t! As I mentioned above, I originally planned to write a different story, tentatively titled Scarred, as the second book in my Tales of the Mystics series. The idea for Traitor was inspired by my editor, and I’ll admit my first inclination was to dismiss it. Scarred was already halfway written, and I wasn’t sure I could connect enough with Penelope to write an entire book about her. But the idea stuck with me, and soon I had the outline of a plot. I’m grateful for my editor’s brilliant idea and that I took the time to pursue it for so many reasons. Princess Penelope’s story had so much for me to learn, as both a writer and as a flawed person longing for forgiveness and redemption. And this addition to the series balances the rest of the books out really well, adding a layer of depth I couldn’t have achieved if I’d jumped straight into the next story. Now I’m working on completing Scarred as Tales of the Mystics, Book Three!
  8. Which was your favorite character? Is it the one you most related to?

    Interestingly, my favorite character in Traitor is probably the one who’s the least like me! Princess Dionne, the younger sister of Penelope’s new fiancé, took me by surprise as I was writing because I expected her to be a very minor character. But her bluntness and sense of humor made me curious to explore her personality more, and I enjoyed giving her opportunities to interact with Penelope both as a friend and as someone who wasn’t afraid to voice harsh truths. I think the fact that I’m her opposite—a shy peacemaker—is what made her my favorite character, because I got to explore what it would be like to react to situations so differently than what I’m used to with only fictional consequences. 🙂

    I hope you enjoy Princess Dionne and the rest of the cast of Traitor! I’m so grateful to my readers for sticking with me during this long writing process—I did my best to make the story worth the wait! Thanks again for inviting me to visit today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laurie Lucking loves hoarding books, singing at the top of her lungs, playing games that
don’t involve too much strategy, and spending time with her husband and three energetic
kids. A recovering attorney, she now spends her days as a stay-at-home mom and has
discovered writing young adult romantic fantasy is way more fun than drafting contracts.
Her fairy tale–inspired stories combine the excitement of discovering new worlds with the
timeless enchantment of falling in love. Find out more about Laurie and her writing
adventures at http://www.LaurieLucking.com.

Stalks of Gold

ABOUT THE BOOK

Stalks of Gold (Bewitching Fairy Tales Book 1) by [Celeste Baxendell]

Title: Stalks of Gold
Series: Bewitching Fairy Tales #4
Author: Celeste Baxendell
Release Date: January 27, 2021
Genre: Fairytale Retelling

Magic isn’t a solution; it’s a trap.

If Aurelia comes across magic, she’s supposed to run in the other direction. Life is no longer so simple. If the tower door opens, and she doesn’t have any gold, her life will be forfeit.

No one is going to help her, not even her closest friend. No one, except for the mysterious stranger who appeared on her doorstep and in her tower room. If she takes the deal, she might live, but what will she sacrifice in order to do it?

Sandor’s worlds collided when Aurelia was brought before King Eadric. Is he truly so desperate to get out of debt, he’s willing to believe such nonsense as a girl who can spin straw into gold? She’s Sandor’s closest friend. If Aurelia were a witch, he would know it. It’s impossible, or so he thought.

Nothing makes sense anymore, but Sandor’s determined to figure it out and save Aurelia from the king. The more he learns, the more he wonders, is the king the real threat, or is there something more dangerous lurking in the shadows?

Book Review:

This was the first book that I have read from this author and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Stalks of Gold is the first book in Celeste’s Bewitching Fairy Tales series. It is inspired by Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel. 

Aurelia and Sandor are faced against a man that is more powerful than they could ever comprehend. They are faced with magic that can tear them apart. 

Aurelia was an interesting character, I had to grow to like her. However Sandor is my favorite character. Aurelia had to go through a lot as she was accused of being able to spin straw into gold. Meanwhile, Sandor is walking a thin line of pacifying King Eadric. However their world’s collide and leaves Auralie with no choice but to trust the one who offers her magic. But all magic has a price and Auralie may not survive the price. 

This book was interesting, but it did take me a little while to get into it. However once I started really reading it, I was able to finish it quickly. I had to grow to like the characters, as they grew and learned from their mistakes I liked them more. The characters had to journey and go through a lot before everything was fixed, in a sense. I liked the pace of the book and there were so many twists and turns. I didn’t know how this book was going to end, but I liked the way it ended. 

Stalks of Gold is a great start and I would recommend it. It is a clean, fairytale retelling. I would recommend it for 13 years and up

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

The Luckless

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Luckless: A MMORPG and LitRPG Online Adventure (Second Age of Retha Book 1) by [A. M. Sohma]

Title: The Luckless
Series: Second Age of Retha #1
Author: A. M. Sohma
Release Date: July 19, 2017
Genre: A MMORPG and LitRPG Online Adventure

Welcome to Retha, the full submersion video game where you can be the hero of your own adventure. Unfortunately for Kit, it only takes one moment to turn the game into a nightmare.

When Chronicles of Retha experiences a software malfunction, Kit—a disenchanted veteran player—is stuck in the game without a way to log off. Even worse, she’s trapped playing as the most defective character possible, an elf dancer that was meant to be a prank.

Thankfully, she receives word that there is a way out. But the only escape route is to defeat the game’s ultimate villain. Kit, in her joke character, must fight her way through some of the worst Retha has to offer. Her only help is a party of low-leveled players just as powerless as she is, and the occasional act of mercy from one of the best players in the game, the taciturn (and aloof) Solus Miles.

Can Kit and her new friends finish the quest, or will Retha be their end?

Book Review:

As a girl who almost never plays video games, I have to say I was skeptical to say the least about A.M. Sohma’s book The Luckless. I picked it up though because I had just finished binge reading all the K.M. Shea books I own, and I really wanted another one. And let me just say, I am so glad I read it!

The Luckless is about a girl named Kit who is stuck in a full submersion game called Chronicles of Retha. Kit hasn’t played the game in years, and as a joke her cousin made her into a dancing elf character who is basically useless. Kit figures out that she can get out of the game if she defeats the game’s ultimate villains. Fortunately, there are some other players that could help, but no one believes that they are truly in danger. This means that Kit has to put together a ragtag team of low level people to fight the villain with the occasional help from one of the best players in the game, Solus Miles.

I loved Kit’s personality. She is so hilarious, and she has plenty to say about how much her character sucks. I think that I also really felt for her insecurity. It was hard for her to figure out that she is the leader, and that she has to just accept that. I liked seeing her journey in how she became more and more confident in her abilities. I also loved her commentary on everything. I have read a lot of books where the characters are so calm in their heads. I’ve never really understood that, and I love characters that show some sarcasm and a realistic frustration with what’s going on in their lives.

Plus, the minor characters were also hilarious. I think that K.M. Shea did such a great job of making me invested in every character. I loved all the little quirks that made them human like one character being slightly greedy and another incredibly polite. And then watching them all interact was hilarious. I was laughing my head off at their banter which only got funnier as the challenges got harder.

The challenges in the game were very interesting to a non gamer like me. I have played a couple of video games, but the one that A.M. Sohma had imagined was so much more intricate and elaborate. The world of Retha was amazing, and what was really impressive is that I could understand it. I can barely comprehend what my brother is talking about when he explains his video games, so I was really happy that I could follow the story and even learn a couple of things. I would definitely recommend this book to games and non games alike. It was also really clean which is always nice. I would definitely recommend this funny and fascinating book.